We've put together a guidebook with everything you need to know about Tanzania and Zanzibar. Written by our specialists, it details destination information, a wildlife guide, some suggested itineraries and plenty more to inspire your holiday. Fill in the form below and if you live in UK, your guidebook will arrive by post within the next couple of days. For those who live abroad, we will send you a copy by email.

Renowned for its geographical might rather than its cuisine, Tanzania is often overlooked as a destination for foodies. And whilst the country is perhaps not well known for its culinary offering, tasty, hearty food sits top of the menu from north to south. Here, we shortlist five delicious dishes you should try for a true taste of Tanzania.

Often described as “The Greatest Show on Earth”, the annual migration of over a million wildebeest and around 300,000 zebra is a natural phenomenon like no other. Following the rains, the wildebeest and zebra travel in search of lush grass and grazing lands whilst moving in a clockwise rotation up through the Serengeti. They will spend a couple of months in the Masai Mara before heading back to Tanzania in time for calving season – all whilst trying to evade the many predators en route.

During a recent stay at Selous Impala Camp in the Selous Game Reserve, Matt was lucky enough to spend some time with one of the region’s finest guides – Gerard Mwakila. They took some time to discuss the area’s uniqueness and the importance that tourism plays in protecting the wildlife. Here’s what Gerard had to say…

Whilst Tanzania's blockbuster sights attract the lion's share of its safari visitors, it is still possible to find your very own corner of this incredibly vast and varied country. Venture away from snow capped summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the sweeping plains of the Serengeti and the palm fringed coastline of Zanzibar, and you will discover a Tanzania much less travelled. We've handpicked our favourite spots which take you unequivocally off the beaten track in Tanzania.

Deciding whether to go on safari in the north or south of Tanzania very much depends on what you’re looking to get out of your trip – the two areas offer vastly different experiences but both have so much to offer. We've broken down what to expect where on a safari holiday in Tanzania.

For families with older children and a serious sense of adventure, Tanzania is a destination with very many draws. With school summer holidays being one of the best times to spot the Big Five and the wildebeest migration, you will not have to look far when it comes to seeking out the wildlife encounter of a lifetime. The cluster of Tanzania's main attractions in the north means shorter travel times whilst the south is home to an array of family friendly camps.

During a recent stay at Mdonya Old River Camp in Ruaha National Park, Matt got speaking to his guide Kahimba Zacharia about the uniqueness of Ruaha and the importance that tourism plays in protecting the wildlife. Here’s what Kahimba had to say…

Conquering Africa's highest free standing mountain sits top of the bucket list for many a trekker and mountaineer. And whilst the snow crested summit of Kilimanjaro has become a holy grail for hikers around the globe, reaching Uhuru Point takes preparation and determination in equal measure. There are a number of different routes which lead to the summit, varying in terms of difficulty and length, and it is vital that you pick the right one for you. Here, we guide you through how best to reach the top, one step at a time.

With more wildlife than almost any other corner of Africa, Tanzania is an unrivalled destination for safari. This patchwork of vast and varied terrain is home to stampeding wildebeest, wallowing hippos and swinging chimpanzees alongside majestic elephants and the rare black rhino, confirming it as the perfect destination for first time safari goers and Africa aficionados alike. Take a look at our comprehensive guide to spotting wildlife in Tanzania.

Tanzania and Zanzibar are fantastic for birders. There are over 1,000 bird species on record, of which over 20 are endemic. We asked our Tanzania specialist and birding enthusiast Anton to whittle down his top five spots for going in search of these nimble creatures of the air…

Nothing lets you experience the true wilderness of the bush quite like spending a night fly camping in the Selous. Perfect for those with an adventurous spirit and a love of the wild, you’ll sleep in a temporary camp set up deep within the reserve, with nothing but a mosquito net between you and the star-strewn African sky.

Serengeti Wilderness Camp

Serengeti, Tanzania

Best for: Wildlife, Imagine Favourites

Serengeti Wilderness Camp is a seasonal bush camp located in the heart of the Serengeti National Park, with access to arguably some of the best game viewing in Africa. Simple but comfortable, Serengeti Wilderness Camp offers an authentic safari adventure.

Serengeti Wilderness Camp is friendly and intimate in feel, offering just ten spacious tents with comfortable beds and quality linens, an en-suite eco-friendly toilet and bush shower, and a dressing area. The tents each have a shady veranda, where guests can relax and read quietly or perhaps watch birds and animals. Lighting is solar powered with bedside lamps provided. From November to April, Serengeti Wilderness Camp operates in the southern Serengeti’s Ndutu region, while between June and November, the camp is situated in the northern parts of the park.

The style of camp is simple but every comfort is taken care of. A large and airy central dining tent offers a comfortable lounge area with a small reference library and maps, some games and a recharging facility for cameras and videos, and the safari chef prepares delicious meals for your enjoyment, with special dietary requests accommodated. Typically a safari campfire is lit in the evenings for guests to enjoy sundowners and snacks and relive the days experiences. The staff will look after your every need, and will be on attendance virtually round the clock.

Activities include game drives, bird watching around the camp, balloon safaris and guided walking safaris (which must be pre-booked). Other safari highlights in the region include the Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, active Ol Donyo Lengai volcano and Lake Natron.

This is one of our Africa expert Anna's favourite camps to witness the Great Migration. Please see her suggestions here...

When to go

Tanzania is a large country, with a varied climate. Generally, the long rains run from March to May - the temperature is warm and the humidity is high. June to October is the long dry season, and the short rains are in November and December, much lighter than the long rains. January and February are again dry (the short dry season) so this is another good time to visit.

December to March, is the Wildebeest calving season. In April and May, the rut begins and the plains dry out so the herd begin the journey north. June and July, the migration gathers momentum and the herds enter the Serengeti Western Corridor. It's here that the wildebeest and their newborn calves meet their first serious barrier in the form of the Grumeti River and its vast crocodiles. Between August and November, the migration reaches its northern range: the grasslands on either bank of the crocodile-infested Mara River which the herds must cross not once, but twice, as they complete their migration.

We want to be really clear about this. We offer amazing value. Tailor-made does not have to mean expensive, it simply means attention to every detail of your trip that will be designed by a true expert.

Here at Imagine Africa, we are so confident that we offer the best value on the market that we have a price promise. If you find the exact same holiday cheaper with another UK tour operator, then we promise to beat their price by £50.

Rest assured that all our holidays are 100% financially protected. Our ATOL bond protects holidays booked in the UK with flights. Our ABTOT bond protects holidays which are booked without flights or those booked outside the UK, either with or without flights.

Protection means that in the unlikely event that we become insolvent; your holiday will be refunded or you will be repatriated if already travelling or have flights with us.